The Dragons of Decay

by J. J. Thompson

  Aeris chuckled and shook his head.

  “Of course not. The arch is wide enough and strong enough for you to traverse it safely. And the stone is clean and dry. Just don't look down.”

  “Easier said than done,” Simon muttered under his breath.

  “Be careful, master,” Kronk called out as the wizard began to slowly walk up the arch.

  Again, not helping, the wizard thought. He gritted his teeth and prayed that an errant gust of wind didn't toss him off the arch on to his head.

  Aeris floated serenely beside him, looking amused by Simon's shuffling snail's pace, but his presence was actually comforting. The gate was no more than a dozen feet across, but to the wizard it felt as long as the Golden Gate bridge and as wide as a strand of hair.

  Standing in the exact center of the arch, Simon got down on one knee, took off his gloves and shoved them roughly into a pocket. Then he placed both of his hands on to the bitterly cold stone and began to chant the incantation for the ward spell.

  He had to recharge the tower's wards periodically and the spell was permanently etched into his memory, so casting it was simple. The effect, on the other hand, was rather more spectacular than usual.

  As he finished casting the spell, Simon invoked it with the word of command.

  “Invectis,” he said tentatively and suddenly found his hands locked to the stone of the arch as if actually frozen there.

  “What the..?” he said in surprise as he tried and failed to lift his arms, almost collapsing on to his face.

  “Something wrong?” Aeris asked him as he floated closer.

  “Yeah. I seem to be stuck to the damned arch.”

  And then he felt the warmth draining out of him. It rose from his legs, gathered in his chest and then, in a rush, rolled down his arms and into the stone. A bright silver-blue burst of light, like a flashbulb, blazed for a second from the arch and then, his hands came loose.

  Simon stood up so quickly that he overbalanced and began to teeter on the edge of the stone.

  Oh damn, this is gonna hurt, was the despairing thought that raced through his mind, just as he felt a gentle but firm push that centered him back on the arch again.

  He trembled, feeling cold sweat rolling down from his hairline as he looked to his right. Aeris was holding his elbow and met his gaze calmly.

  “I told you that I wouldn't let you fall,” he said with a quick smile.

  Simon stood still for a moment and then took a deep breath.

  “Yeah, I know you did. Thanks for that.”

  “I live to serve,” Aeris said with a hint of his usual sarcasm. “Now, shall we move on?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Simon turned carefully, the air elemental moving with him, and made his way back to the parapet. He stopped for a moment to wipe the sweat from his forehead before slipping his gloves back on.

  “Well, that was unexpected,” he said, leaning against the wall to wait for his heartbeat to slow down again. “The wards don't usually drain me of so much magic.”

  “It is the nature of the wall now, I believe,” Aeris replied. “You didn't just energize a new ward up there; you actually recharged this entire section of the wall. I think that once the arch at the back gate is enchanted, the barrier around our tower will be almost impenetrable.”

  “Huh. Good to know. At least now I'll be ready when I cast the second ward spell.” He took another deep breath, coughed a bit as the cold air bit into his lungs and then began to move.

  “Okay, let's get this done. My face is starting to freeze.”

  Chapter 13

  Once the second ward over the back gate was cast, Simon and the elementals returned to the tower. The wizard was relieved to get out of the bitter cold and immediately took off his outerwear and set water over the fire to boil. He was dying for something hot to drink, but decided that he had earned some hot chocolate for a change. It had been that cold out there.

  Kronk added wood to the fire while Aeris shot up the stairs and came back down a moment later carrying one of Simon's heavy sweaters.

  “Here you go,” he said as he handed it to the wizard. “You should put this on. You are still shaking.”

  Simon thanked him, startled by the air elemental's concern, and put on the sweater. He took a moment to think of how absurd he must look wearing a thick cardigan sweater over a long robe, but then who was going to see him besides his little friends? And it was very warm and comforting.

  He made his hot chocolate and moved one of the kitchen chairs so that he could sit in front of the fireplace, mourning the loss of his comfy chair yet again. He promised himself that in the spring, he'd send Aeris off to search the surrounding towns and villages for a replacement. Maybe there was a warehouse or old shopping mall somewhere that hadn't been completely flattened by the dragon attacks. There could be a lounge chair packed in bubble wrap just waiting to be discovered. It was a nice dream anyway.

  The light was fading from the windows as the sun went down and a biting wind howled around the tower, screaming to be let in.

  Up yours, Simon thought at it and sipped his sweet drink.

  Kronk sat down beside the fireplace and Aeris moved to hover nearby.

  “So why the sudden concern for my comfort?” Simon asked him with a tired grin.

  “Sudden concern? My dear wizard, you wound me. I've always got your best interests at heart.”

  Even Kronk turned to look at him with wide eyes.

  “What?” Aeris said at the look.

  The earthen shrugged.

  “Nothing. I know you worry about our master as well as I do. But he is correct. You are usually not as...forthcoming as you have been today.”

  Simon watched them both, amused by the exchange.

  Aeris sighed loudly but then the exaggerated wounded look faded from his face and he looked up at the wizard with a frown.

  “Actually, I wanted our dear wizard to have a happy day, and I think we all needed the tower made as secure as possible. And now we do.”

  “You wanted me to have a happy day?” Simon asked him, perplexed. “Why? I mean, thanks and all that but that's a bit out of character.”

  “Is it? Perhaps.”

  Aeris rose up slowly until he was floating at the wizard's eye level.

  “But I think the next few days are going to be hard on you. This respite was necessary.”

  “Because I'm going to see Clara and the others tomorrow and help them plan their move south?”

  “That, yes. But also because the move will be a hasty one and it will be exhausting for you. After all, you are the only one who can Gate the population as well as their baggage to their new home. It won't be easy.”

  Simon finished his drink, got up and put the cup in the sink and then returned to sit down again.

  “Why hasty? I can stretch the whole move out for as long as I need to. You know, move some of the folks and their supplies down one day, more the next, etcetera. No problem.”

  Aeris shook his head and looked uncomfortable. His expression gave Simon a squirmy feeling in the pit of his stomach and he swallowed nervously.

  “Okay, spill it,” he said. “What aren't you telling me?”

  “Something I felt earlier when we were on the wall. I didn't mention it at the time because I wanted to be sure. But by the time we were done with the arches, I was left with no doubts.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kronk asked roughly. “Stop beating around the bush and just tell us.”

  “There's a storm coming. A massive one. It will make the one that brought the wights down upon us look minuscule in comparison.”

  Simon gaped at him.

  “But, but, it's too soon!”

  “There is no schedule when it comes to nature's wrath, my dear wizard. You know that.”

  “Oh my God,” Simon muttered. He closed his eyes and rubbed them so hard that he saw red flashes cutting through his vision.

  “How long until it hits?” he asked r
eluctantly.

  “Three days,” Aeris answered simply.

  “Three days? Holy crap,” the wizard said. Then he frowned. “Wait. Does that mean we have three full days starting tomorrow or..?”

  “It means that in three days, the storm will smash into us like the dark gods' vengeance. It means, my dear wizard, that the people of Nottinghill had best be gone by the evening of the second day from now, or things could get very bad for them.”

  Simon looked at Kronk, who shrugged and looked at him sympathetically.

  “So he really means two days, master,” he said.

  The wizard got up abruptly, dragged his chair back to the table and sat down again. He reached out and picked up the hand mirror and began casting the Magic Mirror spell.

  The two elementals moved to stand on the table top and watched him closely.

  “Do you think he's calling the cleric?” Aeris asked Kronk.

  “Who else would he be calling?” the little guy replied. “She must be warned to increase the speed of her preparations. There is no more time to waste.”

  Simon finished his spell and put a finger to his lips.

  Both of the elementals nodded and he smiled a thank you at them.

  “Clara? Can you hear me?”

  The mirror fogged over for just a moment and then cleared, showing Clara's face. She was staring right back at Simon.

  “Oh, hey there,” he said in surprise. “You walk around carrying a mirror now?”

  The cleric smiled wryly.

  “Considering how crazy it's gotten here lately, it seemed like a good idea.”

  The view changed for a moment as she turned the mirror and Simon saw that she was standing in the barracks. People were packing large wooden boxes with clothing, blankets and a myriad of other dry goods. The door at the far end of the room was continuously opening and closing as people hurried in and out. The torches on the walls were flickering madly every time a blast of winter wind hit them from the entrance.

  Clara turned the mirror around again and Simon watched her sit down.

  “So, what's up?” she asked. “Did your scouts get back yet?”

  “They did.”

  “And? Please tell me it's good news. Frankly we could use some. People around here are getting a bit down, what with leaving their homes and all.”

  “Well, good news and bad, actually. Can anyone hear us from where you're sitting?”

  She looked at him sharply and then glanced around.

  “No, they can't. They're all too busy right now,” she told him in a much quieter voice. “So, tell me what you don't want anyone else to hear.”

  “Okay, here goes. Not all of the scouts got back safely.”

  Simon proceeded to tell Clara about everything that had happened, starting with the loss of the scouts in Mexico and ending with Aeris' prediction of a storm hitting in less than three days time. He spoke steadily for fifteen minutes and the cleric did not interrupt once. Her face, on the other hand, paled and her lips thinned as she listened closely. For good measure, the wizard told her about his new wards atop his gates. She nodded approvingly at that.

  When he had finished, Simon swallowed dryly and waited for his friend's reaction.

  “Wow,” Clara finally said. “Just...wow. That's a lot to take in, Simon.”

  “I know that. But time is short and you needed all the facts as quickly as I could give them to you.”

  “Understood. And thank you for that. We don't need the poison pill sugar-coated at this point. So,” she rested her chin in her hand, “Mexico is definitely out, so at least we won't have people arguing and complaining when I tell them that Florida is the place for us. And I think that your air elemental, Trass was it? He had a good point. Seeing the remains of a place where I'm sure a lot of us traveled to in our childhood would be incredibly depressing. I think that Aeris' area, along the ocean on the east coast, sounds much more promising.”

  She paused and fixed Simon with an intense stare.

  “If we have to evacuate everyone within two days, are you going to be able to handle it? The strain of casting that many Gate spells is going to be immense.”

  He twitched his shoulders and avoided looking at Kronk. He was sure that the little guy would be watching him in disapproval.

  “What choice do I have? You have got to be out of Nottinghill before that storm hits, no matter what. There may not be wights accompanying it, but we can't know for sure. No one is going to die because of me. Not again.”

  “Simon, no one has died because of you,” the cleric said firmly. “You did not knowingly send your scouts into harm's way. It was a tragedy, but you did not cause it. And certainly the people I've lost did not die because of you. So please, put that guilt away and let's figure this out, okay?”

  “She is correct, master,” Kronk said and Aeris murmured in agreement.

  Simon just shrugged.

  “Fine. Whatever. At any rate, the answer to your question is yes; I will be able to handle it. Because I have to be able to handle it. So don't worry about me. I assume you'll call a meeting right away and tell everyone what's happening?”

  “Not hard to do,” she replied with a little smile and looked across the barracks. “Most of my people are here now anyway. The rest I'll gather up and we'll talk this all out. Tonight. I wish I had those maps of Florida that your scouts drew up though.”

  “No problem there. I can Gate...”

  Aeris moved quickly and poked his face around the mirror to look at Clara.

  “I will bring them to you directly, lady cleric,” he said, cutting Simon off. “Our dear wizard used up a lot of his strength today on the new wards and shouldn't expend any more until he actually needs to.”

  “Hey! Wait a second,” Simon protested. Aeris just ignored him. So did Clara.

  “Excellent idea, my friend,” she said to the air elemental. “Let's conserve his strength as much as possible.”

  Simon moved the mirror around so that Aeris was blocked from view and glared at him. The air elemental simply returned his look stoically.

  “Don't I get a say in this?” he asked Clara.

  “No, you don't. Stop being difficult, Simon. Get your rest and call me in the morning. The next two days are going to be stressful on all of us, so be a good boy and do as you're told, all right?”

  She smiled widely as she spoke and Simon gave in with bad grace and nodded once.

  “Yes ma'am, “ he said tersely and then grinned himself. “You're both right, of course. But damn it, I really resent being such a wimp. This whole brains over brawn thing is vastly overrated.”

  “Not if it saves the lives of my people, it isn't,” Clara replied, the smile fading from her face.

  “Good point. Okay, Aeris will leave with the maps and notes right away. He should be there in,” he glanced at the air elemental, “thirty minutes? Yes, about a half hour. That should give you enough time to gather your people together.”

  “My thought exactly. Call me first thing in the morning and I'll let you know what we've decided.”

  “Will do. Good luck with everything,” Simon told her.

  “Thanks. Have a good night.”

  He broke the connection and stood up, putting the mirror on the kitchen table.

  “Come on, Aeris. Let's get the notes from my study. You can come too, Kronk, if you want. I'm going to get the proper coordinates for my Gating targets from the atlas while I'm up there.”

  “I will join you later, master,” the little guy said as he jumped off of the table. “I need to bring in more logs from the woodpile. We are getting low.”

  “Okay then. Let's go,” he said to Aeris who nodded and followed him upstairs.

  Simon sat down at his desk and pulled out the pile of notes and drawings from a drawer. He separated the drawings from Mexico from the maps of Florida, making two smaller piles. Aeris watched him and began frowning.

  “Why the long face?” the wizard asked him when he was done.

>   “Do you not want the townspeople to see the reason that they cannot settle in Mexico?” he asked with a nod at the drawing of the goblin mound.

  “Why? You think they should?”

  “Of course! Simply telling people that there is danger often isn't enough. They must see it to believe it. I think that the cleric will be honest in explaining why they cannot go there, but the drawings will help to back her up.”

  Simon began to nod reluctantly.

  “I suppose you're right. It's just that, I don't know, they've been through so much and now they're leaving their homes in a rush. I just thought that it would be easier on them not to see the other horrors that this New Earth has in store for them.”

  “Yes, it might be,” Aeris agreed, his voice becoming gentle. “But you cannot make monsters disappear by pretending they don't exist. That could actually get people killed.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I know. Okay then.”

  Simon put all of the drawings in a pile and handed them to Aeris.

  “Take it all. We'll let Clara decide how best to present the evidence to her people. And you have my permission to pop back here directly when you're done.”

  Aeris rolled the papers together and smiled at the wizard.

  “You've already given me that permission. Don't you remember?”

  Simon raised an eyebrow.

  “New wards, my friend. Don't you remember? The rules of magic dictate that you cannot cross my wards unless I expressly allow you to.”

  Aeris gaped at him and the wizard burst out laughing. It felt good.

  “Well, I'll be... You are correct, my dear wizard. Thank you for that. It's quite depressing traveling through the dead winter forest, especially at night. I'd rather not have to do it twice.”

  “Not dead,” Simon said, shaking a finger at him. “Sleeping. I find it less gloomy if I think of it like that.”

  “Semantics,” Aeris said with a shrug. “But I'll accept it. See you soon.”

  And with that, he disappeared with the usual pop of disturbed air.

  Simon sat back and settled himself comfortably in his chair. He spun around and stared at the dark window behind his desk, lost in thought.

  Some time later, Kronk tip-tapped into the room and found the wizard still staring at nothing. He hopped up on the desk and looked at Simon quizzically.